Jaywalking rules at bus terminus

Jaywalking rules at bus terminus
Vijay Times

BANGALORE : As BMTC bus drivers make their way into the Kempegowda Bus Terminus everyday, they face a typically Indian problem.

Hordes of jaywalkers using the approach roads to the bus bays as a thoroughfare. Not only does this daily spectacle cause tense moments for the drivers, it also endangers the lives of scores of commuters.

A recce by Vijay Times

showed commuters and other members of the public blatantly violating the rules with a devil-may-care attitude. With 21 buses per minute making their way into the bus station, spread over 32 acres, it is the perfect recipe for a major accident. This in spite of pedestrian flyovers constructed decades ago to facilitate hassle-free crossing from the road / KSRTC terminus to BMTC bays/platforms.

While BMTC officials and traffic controllers says the purpose of the barricades is to prevent people from haphazard jaywalking, commuters say the milling crowds at the platforms/ bays hinder boarding / alighting from buses and force them to follow this unsafe practice.

Suresh, a commuter, says, "As most of us are in a hurry for a change-over in routes, we alight from buses as they slow down while entering the terminus. Following rules is the last thing on our mind. It is risky but we are used to it. Drivers are also to be blamed as they park the bus and let out passengers even before it enters the designated area." Prerna, a student, opines, "The rush during peak hours is a harrowing experience for women commuters. We are jostled and pushed by men who are in a hurry to alight from buses. Conductors find themselves in a helpless situation. The moment buses stop at the platforms / bays, the pushing and jostling begin. More order is the need of the hour." Lingappa, a driver, says, "Buses that make their way into the terminus arrive at high speeds. Most of the buses have pneumatic doors, which are closed. Commuters compel us to open them by yelling at us. This is highly risky. If any commuter is knocked down, the blame game starts and fingers are pointed at us. It is time commuters realise the seriousness of the issue and adhere to simple rules." Dastagir Sherieff, Chief Traffic Manager (Operations), BMTC, says, "The barricades have been erected to address this very menace. We will reinforce them by closing some exit points and increasing the frequency of our drives to enforce discipline. On their part, commuters have to cooperate and comply with instructions meant for their safety. We will issue instructions to drivers not to allow commuters to alight on the thoroughfare." Assistant Traffic Manager (KBS) Nagaraj says, "It is basically a lack of awareness by the travelling public. Our officers and traffic controllers are on the job from 8 am to 8 pm. The moment they come across commuters flouting norms, they pull up the latter. Despite the regular announcements on the public address system, the rules continue be flouted. Punitive action in the form of fines could lessen the problem, but we do not have the authority to do so. Periodic checks in tandem with the traffic police are undertaken so as to instill discipline among commuters."